DistantNews
Support us
🇹🇼 Taiwan /Elections & Politics

Shih Hsin President's 'No Need to Exist' Remark Sparks Outrage; Alumna Jana Slams Speech

From Liberty Times · () Chinese

Translated from Chinese, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News Sources not specified Context piece
  • A Ukrainian artist and graduate of Shih Hsin University criticized the university president's commencement speech, which suggested some people have no reason to exist.
  • The artist, Jana, stated the president's remarks made her feel deeply uncomfortable, emphasizing that everyone has value regardless of their perceived imperfections.
  • She cited examples like Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang, Beethoven, and Steve Jobs to illustrate that individuals who are not

Ukrainian artist Jana, a graduate of Shih Hsin University, expressed her deep discomfort with remarks made by university president Chen Ching-ho during a commencement ceremony. Chen's speech included the line, "If you don't manage your time, emotions, and body well, I tell you, hurry up and end yourself, because this world no longer needs you to exist."

If you don't manage your time, emotions, and body well, I tell you, hurry up and end yourself, because this world no longer needs you to exist.

— Chen Ching-hoShih Hsin University president's commencement speech

Jana took to social media to voice her feelings, stating, "As a student of Shih Hsin University, hearing the president say 'hurry up and end yourself' made me feel very uncomfortable." She argued that even imperfect individuals continue to create and have inherent value. "Even if you are broken now, you still have the value to exist," she asserted.

As a student of Shih Hsin University, hearing the president say 'hurry up and end yourself' made me feel very uncomfortable.

— JanaArtist Jana's reaction to the president's speech

She further elaborated on the concept of imperfection, contrasting Asian and European perspectives. Jana noted that in Asia, mistakes are seen as shameful, while in Europe, failure is viewed as a stepping stone to recovery. She recalled a university classmate who cried over a 98% score, fearing her parents' reaction, while Jana herself celebrated a 60% score with her family.

Even if you are broken now, you still have the value to exist.

— JanaArtist Jana's statement on self-worth

Citing Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang, who achieved global success at 63 but whose parents still felt he wasn't good enough, Jana questioned the validity of such high standards. She also referenced historical figures like Beethoven, who composed despite deafness and a volatile temper, and Steve Jobs, who was ousted from his own company before returning to revolutionize the world. "People who are not perfect have never stopped creating," Jana stated. "People don't need to be good enough to have the right to live."

In Asia, mistakes are seen as shameful, while in Europe, failure is viewed as a stepping stone to recovery.

— JanaJana's comparison of Asian and European cultural perspectives on failure
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by Liberty Times in Chinese. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

More Stories

From Our Blog